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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Upgrades set for Tank Hill water facility

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Construction is slated to begin on the multimillion-dollar Tank Hill water facility renovation project.

The Dade City Commission on Sept. 10 awarded a contract to Clearwater-based KAT Construction & Materials Inc., in the amount of $3,325,580 for the improvement project.

The figure marked the lowest submitted proposal among six bids, which were gathered back in July. The proposal was also considered acceptable by Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) criteria.

The scope of the large-scale project generally calls for a new elevated storage tank and water supply well upgrades, plus miscellaneous site work, and electrical and instrumentation modifications:

  • Installation of a new 500-foot deep water supply well
  • Installation of a new deep well vertical turbine pump with associated piping, appurtenances and well pad
  • Two new booster pumps and hydropneumatics tank
  • New sodium hypochlorite feed system

The contractor has 540 calendar days, or roughly a year-and-a-half, from the start of construction to complete the upgrades.

Improvements are being funded through a construction loan agreement; debt service will be included in each annual budget.

The project’s timeline was slightly delayed from months ago, as on-site pre-bidding meetings had to be rescheduled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Published September 23, 2020

Campgrounds reopen to reduced capacity

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As part of a phased approach, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) has reopened all campgrounds throughout its 16-county region, as of June 3. The reopening of SFWMD campgrounds is consistent with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s reopening of camping at many Florida State Parks.

To help protect staff and visitors from the spread of COVID-19, the following guidelines will be in place at all SFWMD campgrounds:

  • Campgrounds will be limited to 50% capacity.
  • Groups of more than 10 campers will not be allowed.
  • There will be a required minimum of 25 feet between campsites.
  • Campers should continue to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance on social distancing and the use of face coverings.

District staff will coordinate with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and other local officials to ensure campers are enjoying the lands safely and responsibly.

For questions and information, call (800) 423-1476, or visit WaterMatters.org/Recreation.

Published June 17, 2020

Zephyrhills joins water contamination lawsuit

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The City of Zephyrhills — also known as “The City of Pure Water” — is joining a massive federal lawsuit regarding contaminated water.

The municipality is set to become a plaintiff in a multi-district litigation case filed against various companies that manufactured firefighting foams — Aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) — containing a series of man-made chemicals found to contaminate groundwater, wastewater and water wells.

Zephyrhills will join more than 100 other cities and water treatment facilities across the country in a federal lawsuit that is going after various companies that manufactured firefighting foam containing chemicals found to contaminate water wells. (File)

The chemicals in question are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), compounds historically used in carpets, clothing, food packaging and a number of industrial processes. The chemicals have been linked to human health effects, such as low infant birth weights, immune system suppression, thyroid hormone disruption and cancer, according to health organizations, such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Zephyrhills City Council unanimously voted on May 11 to enter negotiations for representation with Cossich, Summich, Parsiola and Taylor LLC., a New Orleans-based litigation firm. Local co-counsel will include Tampa-based firms Hobby & Hobby P.A. and Young & Partners LLP. The action came during a virtual council meeting.

Zephyrhills will join more than 100 other cities and water treatment facilities across the country in the lawsuit. Other plaintiffs are as far away as California and North Dakota, and within Florida, including Pensacola and Lauderhill.

The New Orleans firm is known for its work in securing a $7.8 billion settlement for plaintiffs in the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill case back in 2010. The firm told city leaders it will front the cost of litigation and expert work on a contingency, then would accept a settlement fee.

Officials say high levels of PFOA/PFOS have been discovered in Water Well No. 1 utilized by the city’s downtown fire station for training purposes, dating as far back as 2014.

Samples taken from the well in 2014 showed PFOA/PFOS levels of 160 parts per trillion in water, lower than the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) levels of acceptability of 200 parts per trillion at the time, officials say.

However, in 2016 the EPA established new health advisory levels of PFOA/PFOS at just 70 parts per trillion. Because of that, the well was subsequently taken offline and was no longer in service when follow-up tests measured 120 parts per trillion of PFOA/PFOS, officials say.

Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe said that staff is working with environmental engineering group Jones Edmunds on monitoring wells and “to try to delineate contamination plume.”

Poe expects the EPA and Florida Department of Environmental Protection to make requirements for PFOA/PFOS remediation and removal, which he said “will have a very large price tag attached to it.”

Clarke Hobby of Hobby & Hobby P.A., will serve as co-counsel for the City of Zephyrhills, who will be a plaintiff in a federal lawsuit against companies and manufacturers that used a series of man-made chemicals in firefighting foam found to contaminate water wells. (File)

City attorney Matt Maggard concurred with the city manager’s assessment. He emphasized the need to partner with the multiple litigation firms to seek damages from companies that used PFOS/PFAS chemicals in AFFF production.

Maggard put it like this: “Cleanup is coming, and it’s going to be very, very expensive, and I think we should protect the city and seek compensation from these companies. It’s really negligent what they did, in my opinion, as far as knowing the dangers of these chemicals and letting them go out into the public the way they did.”

Attorney Clarke Hobby, a partner in Hobby & Hobby P.A., originally brought the matter to the city’s attention.

A Dade City native who normally deals in real estate and land use matters, Hobby said he felt a calling to be involved and assist the municipality with the developing case.

The attorney said he believes the EPA will even further lower the levels of acceptability for PFOS/PFOA in water sources because “they’re finding that this stuff is not water soluble and it just doesn’t go away and it is a serious threat to water quality.”

Said Hobby, “I just don’t want Zephyrhills to get on the hook for what a multi-, multi-billion company knew about 40 years ago and continued to put it on the market, and leave us holding the bag.”

He added: “The liability for creating this chemical contamination should lie with the manufacturers who knew about this for a long time and allowed the contamination to continue over a longer period of time.”

Upon hearing comments from Hobby, as well as representatives from Cossich, Summich, Parsiola and Taylor LLC, and city administration, the council agreed it was important to move forward in the legal process.

“We definitely have to act on this,” said Council president Ken Burgess.

Councilman Charles Proctor added, “It sounds to me like we are going to deal with this, probably sooner rather than later, so if we’re going to hire a group of attorneys, we would want to hire a (law firm) that’s familiar with this sort of litigation.”

Published May 27, 2020

Zephyrhills approves fire department consolidation

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After more than 100 years of tradition and service, the Zephyrhills Fire Department soon will be no more.

Its operations are expected to be consolidated in September, into Pasco County Fire Rescue.

Under the merger, Pasco Fire Rescue would operate the city’s two fire stations and hire all 25 of the city’s fire rescue personnel at their proper pay step, pending background checks. The county agency would ensure and maintain additional staffing needs at both stations, and place an ambulance within the city limits. (Courtesy of Pasco County Fire Rescue)

The Zephyrhills City Council unanimously approved an interlocal agreement with Pasco County to provide fire suppression/first responder services to the municipality. The action came during an April 27 virtual council meeting.

Per the agreement, Pasco Fire Rescue would operate the city’s two fire stations and hire all 25 of the city’s fire rescue personnel at their proper pay step. The county agency would ensure and maintain additional staffing needs at both stations, and place an ambulance within the city limits.

The agreement calls for a 20-year term, with automatic 20-year renewals, unless the city or county provides written notice at least a year prior to the end of a term.

For a merger to take effect, the Pasco County Commission must approve a corresponding agreement. Also, consenting ordinances allowing the county to charge city residents an MSTU (Municipal Service Taxing Unit) for firefighter services will need to be passed at a later date.

Under the agreement:

  • Zephyrhills will continue to handle plans review, fire and building code administration, and annual inspections
  • Zephyrhills will provide Pasco with final approved as-built plans for any new commercial construction
  • Pasco will provide a water usage report to Zephyrhills for any water used through city hydrants
  • Should Pasco not utilize a city station as an operational fire station, Zephyrhills will have the first right of refusal to purchase the property back at its then assessed value
  • Zephyrhills will allow Pasco Fire Rescue housed at Station 25 to use the City Hall parking lot

The agreement also gives transferred city fire rescue employees the option to remain in the Zephyrhills fire stations for six months. After that, each employee will be required to bid to stay in the local stations.

Under the terms, Zephyrhills also agrees to conduct soil remediation at the downtown fire station, if required by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Separately, the city has agreed to waive any employee tuition reimbursement requirements.

It also has agreed to pay each current Zephyrhills fire rescue union member 50% of remaining sick time above 120 hours that is being transferred to Pasco, and to award all vacation time up to 500 hours and all accrued comp time.

The agreement (as well as extended employee benefits) will cost the city roughly $5.5 million total and will generally be spread out over a period of seven years, Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe said.

The Zephyrhills City Council unanimously approved an interlocal agreement that will allow the city’s fire department to be consolidated by Pasco County Fire Rescue. The merger is expected to occur in September. (File)

After fiscal year 2027, the city won’t have to pay the county for fire rescue services — as it’d be solely propped up by an MSTU assessed to city residents and commercial entities, similar to how Dade City receives such services.

For comparison’s sake, the city’s fire department budget the last two years was $3.3 million in fiscal year 2019 and $2.8 million in fiscal year 2020 — nearly totaling the amount the city is prepared to pay the county to take fire rescue operations off its hands in perpetuity.

The fate of the local fire department had been coming for some time.

Besides a ballooning annual budget, Zephyrhills Fire Rescue battled personnel turnover, staffing shortages and outdated equipment over the years.

Also, the city hasn’t had a fire chief for over 18 months, instead splitting those duties among  three battalion chiefs.

Following formal negotiations with the county that been ongoing since last July, Zephyrhills leaders now feel they have an agreement that takes care of the city’s firefighters, enhances fire rescue services for the community and minimizes the city’s costs.

Council president Ken Burgess described the merger as “a difficult, momentous, emotional day for the city.”

He added: “I think we can look at it as a positive moving forward for the city’s firefighters and everyone involved.”

Fellow council members echoed similar sentiments.

Councilwoman Jodi Wilkeson said, “We really feel like we negotiated the very best possible deal for the firefighters. I don’t think any of us are happy about the fact that we’re losing what’s a 100-year tradition for our community, but the bottom-line line is that our long-term fiscal health for the city was dependent upon this merger.”

Councilman Charlie Proctor pointed out, under the merger, the city’s two firehouses finally will be at full staff and will have transport units. That’s something, he said, the city has not had for decades.

“I believe the end result was fair for everybody, and I also believe in the long run the citizens will be served more safely,” Proctor said.

Zephyrhills firefighter union president Travis Geiger, who was heavily involved In negotiations, said union membership supported the merger by a supermajority vote and is “on the same page” with the city’s consolidation plan.

“It’s been quite the journey,” Geiger said.

The entire process required “much discussion, and back and forth, and headaches and everything else,” he said.

The history of the city’s fire department dates back to 1915, when it started as a volunteer organization. Since the 1970s, it has had a paid professional staff.

To preserve a sliver of that history through the consolidation, city officials said fire engines and vehicles will have signage along the lines of “Proudly Serving Zephyrhills,” even though equipment will now be owned and operated by Pasco Fire Rescue.

Published May 06, 2020

Dade City flood relief in final stages

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Construction is nearing completion on a project in downtown Dade City — which aims to address flooding that plagued the area for years.

The project involves installing new underground stormwater piping.

The concrete pipeline has been lengthened longer than its initial 2,400-linear-foot projections, said Abu Nazmurreza, Dade City’s public works director. New curb drains also have been incorporated.

Behind Dade City’s City Hall, a portion of Pasco Avenue is being unearthed to facilitate new piping. This is one of several routes to see pipe placement that will help diminish flooding in the downtown region. (File)

These improvements will ease the flow of rainwater as it goes down the piping system, passing U.S. 98 and the CSX railway, to the east. The water is then stored in Irvin Pond.

The new system runs from Seventh Street’s intersections with Church Avenue and Pasco Avenue. Then it heads east on Pasco Avenue to Third Street, before heading north up to Meridian Avenue.

Although the majority of construction has been completed, work on Pasco Avenue still needs to be done, Nazmurreza said.

“We are installing a new 6-inch water main through Pasco [Avenue] between Eighth Street and Fifth Street,” he added.

Currently, there are sections of Pasco Avenue that are still unearthed and await repaving.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has to certify the completion of the project by analyzing water pressure, and checking for any bacterial content.

At that point, the existing pipeline will connect with the new one, and Pasco Avenue will be resurfaced.

Modifications also have been made to Irvin Pond to better accommodate the additional stormwater.

The body of water has been expanded by 50% from its original width, according to Nazmurreza.

“The pond on Canal Street was not sufficient enough for taking all the water from the downtown area,” he explained.

The wider area also will extend the time period for the wastewater to be treated.

And Canal Street, east of the pond, has had its culvert pipe reconfigured, as well.

The metal pipe has been replaced with concrete piping, due to rusting.

The street will have to undergo repaving now that the new culvert pipe has been installed.

The road has been temporarily laid with gravel for motorists.

The $1.8 million project is scheduled to wrap up in the coming weeks, Nazmurreza said.

Currently, a detour has to be made on Pasco Avenue. Shop owners, however, are not currently affected by construction.

Published March 18, 2020

Protection for freshwater springs makes progress

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Gov. Ron DeSantis proclaimed April as Springs Protection Awareness Month, recognizing springs as a natural resource unique to Florida.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) celebrated the month in recognition of the environmental, recreational and economic importance of Florida’s 900 iconic freshwater springs.

“Springs are vital to the environment, economy, citizens and visitors of the state,” said Brian Armstrong, executive director of the Southwest Florida Water Management District, in a release.

“The District, in partnership with DEP, the governor and the Legislature, is committed to implementing projects to conserve and restore the ecological balance of our spring systems, supporting the regional economies and quality of life,” Armstrong added.

Brett Cyphers, executive director of the Northwest Florida Water Management District, pointed out that under Gov. DeSantis and DEP Secretary Noah Valenstein, northwest Florida is making real transformative progress with springs restoration and water quality improvement.

And, Hugh Thomas, executive director of the Suwannee River Water Management District, said “Florida is entering a remarkable era for environmental protection” under the leadership of DeSantis and Valenstein.

As per the proclamation, the Bold Vision for a Brighter Future budget recommends $50 million in funding to restore the state’s world-renowned springs, and safeguard these natural resources through nationally recognized water quality assessment and restoration programs.

In celebration of Springs Protection Awareness Month, DEP partnered with Florida’s water management districts to continue the statewide public education initiative, “My Home. My Springs.”

The initiative highlights the uniqueness and importance of the state’s springs, as well as the restoration efforts and the expertise behind them.

Residents can access informative resources, such as fact sheets, videos, educator resources, a springs locator tool and more by visiting MyHomeMySprings.org.

Published May 01, 2019

See our state parks, up close, naturally

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The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has announced the redesign of the Florida State Parks website.

Bahio Honda State Park in Big Pine Key. (Stefanie Burlingame)

In partnership with Visit Florida, the new parks website features tools and information that will be helpful to the state’s visitors.

It also promotes the Florida Park Service, providing visitors with detailed information about all 175 state parks, trails and historic sites.

User experience is improved because of the site’s mobile responsiveness and robust site search tool. It also features more photos and a trip tuner, making it easier for visitors to plan their trips to state parks.

The trip tuner helps to plan a park experience online. It will do the searching for you when you enter your preferences. To try it, visit VisitFlorida.triptuner.com/stateparks/en.

At Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, in Key West, you can visit the fort, which was completed in 1866, and visit the beach with plenty of shaded picnic areas.

Visitors also can find ways to get involved in state parks through volunteering, and find stories from park rangers, staff and volunteers.

Tourism is the No. 1 industry in the state of Florida, and these new resources showcasing visitor opportunities will help support the industry.

The website also has a new marketing logo for Florida State Parks, which features the Florida panther. The panther symbolizes the Florida Park Service’s role in protection and conservation, while representing the wild, Real Florida found within Florida State Parks.

To learn more about our state’s special places and prized properties, as well as natural resources, visit www.FloridaStateParks.org.

Published September 19, 2018

Tomoka State Park, along the Tomoka River, is 3 miles north of Ormond Beach and has many areas for nature lovers to explore.
A roseate spoonbill shows off its balancing skills at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Widllife State Park.

 

Housing demand on rise in Florida, Pasco

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Construction sites along Pasco County’s major corridors are part of everyday landscape.

Bulldozers clear land and work crews move in with hammer and nails.

Pasco is awash in new single-family homes under construction, and to a lesser degree, apartment complexes.

Brad O’ Connor, chief economist for Florida Realtors (Courtesy of Brad O’ Connor)

But, market trends show that the supply of new homes is lagging behind demand. That’s a change from the housing bubble that burst in 2008 and sent the economy into a tailspin.

“This time, instead of building too much, we’re building too little,” said Brad O’ Connor, chief economist for Florida REALTORS.

But, there are solid reasons why demand is high.

“Right now, demand is being driven by population growth and economic growth,” O’ Connor said.

O’ Connor was keynote speaker at the Feb. 1 forum, Reshaping the Face of Pasco 2018 Economic Summit. Central Pasco Association of Realtors hosted the event at Pasco-Hernando State College Porter Campus at Wiregrass.

Other participants were David Gwynn, District 7 secretary at the Florida Department of Transportation; Tom Ryan, economic development manager for the Pasco Economic Development Council; Camille Hernandez, mayor of Dade City; Kathryn Starkey, Pasco County commissioner; Mary Yeargan, director of district management at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection; and Bob Thompson, program moderator of Thompson Event Partners.

Monthly supplies of single-family homes, as well as condominiums and townhouses, were down statewide in 2017, according to data from Florida Realtors.

Florida had slightly less than four months of inventory for single-family homes, down about 6.2 percent from the previous year. There was a six-month inventory of condos and townhouses, down about 1.5 percent.

Hillsborough County had a 2.6-month inventory of single-family homes, down 10 percent; and a two-month inventory of condos and townhouses, down almost 10 percent.

Pasco County also had a 2.6-month inventory in single-family homes, down 4.2 percent; and the same amount in condos and townhouses, down 19 percent.

In 2017, the biggest inventory of single-family homes in Pasco fell within the $200,000 to $250,000 range, followed by homes from $100,000 to $150,000, and $150,000 to $200,000. Those were increases from 2016.

But, there was a significant decline from 2016 to 2017 in homes selling from $50,000 to $100,000. “There is a scarcity in the low sales rage,” O’ Connor said.

Research found declines also in the monthly averages for the 2017 inventory of active listings of single-family homes, condominiums and townhouses.

Florida’s average monthly listings of single-family homes were nearly 89,000, down 4.6 percent. There were about 54,000 monthly listings on average for condos and townhouses, down about 1.2 percent.

Pasco had about 2,200 listings for single-family homes monthly, down about 2.2 percent. Condos and townhouses had about 420 listings a month, down about 16 percent.

With demand higher than supply, O’ Connor said housing prices are inflated.

However, data shows Pasco is still a bargain for homeowners, even as prices rise, compared to other Tampa Bay counties.

Statewide the median price for a single-family home in 2017 was $237,500, an 8 percent increase. In Hillsborough, the median price was $235,000, an increase of 6.8 percent.

Pasco’s median price was $200,000, an increase of 13 percent.

O’ Connor also noted one other housing trend.

In 2008, homeowners stayed in their homes on average seven years. Now they stay about 11 years.

It’s not clear why, though O’ Connor said people could still be feeling the effects of the economic recession.

For information, visit FloridaRealtors.org.

Published February 14, 2018

Pasco County considers permits for roofs on boat docks

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Pasco County commissioners are looking to relax the county’s ban on roofs over boat docks and boat lifts.

At an Aug. 22 workshop, they directed county staff members to draft an ordinance that would allow the roofs to be permitted, with restrictions.

Pasco County is considering regulations relating to relaxing a ban on roofs over boat docks and boat lifts. The issue is likely to draw interest in a county that has a significant number of lakes. (B.C. Manion)

For instance, the roofs must not block scenic views of the water. Roofs would not be allowed along canals due to their narrow widths.

“If you put one up (there), you’re definitely impeding the view of your neighbors,” said Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore.

An engineer also must certify that the structures could withstand hurricane-force winds.

“You need an engineer’s certification to make sure you’re not making a flying missile during hurricanes,” said Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey.

County officials said some residents are eager to have the roofs, while others are strongly opposed.

Residents of the deed-restricted community of Gulf Harbors are very concerned their views may go away, if roofs are permitted, county officials said.

The county can’t draft an ordinance that specifically excludes Gulf Harbors, said Jeffrey Steinsnyder, the county’s attorney.

If a Gulf Harbors’ resident applied for a permit, it would be up to the community to enforce deed restrictions banning roofs, but Steinsynder said, “I’m not sure they have the prohibitions you think they have.”

County officials said several docks on county lakes were grandfathered in years ago.

Pasco’s regulation efforts date back at least a decade with the issuance of dock permits for marine waters, rivers and man-made canals. The focus largely was on ensuring that docks weren’t built too far into the waterways to obstruct passage or views.

In 2010, Pasco commissioners amended the dock ordinance to make it clear that roofs were prohibited, and to require that structures be located at least 15 feet from the “mean-high water line.”

The county later grandfathered in roofs and wall structures built before June, 2010, and also applied the dock ordinance to “all privately and publicly owned bodies of water-lakes.”

In the past, residents were referred to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection or the Southwest Florida Water Management District, known as Swiftmud, for dock permits.

Regulations on covered docks and boat lifts vary by county and city. For example, New Port Richey bans both.

The city of Temple Terrace regulates the matter based on height and square-footage. Pinellas County permits roofs over boat lifts only.

Pasco allows canvas covers for boats.

Published September 6, 2017

Downtown Dade City to get flood relief

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Puddle jumping in downtown Dade City is often a rainy day sport especially along Seventh Street, the spine of downtown’s business district.

Sidewalks can quickly overflow, forcing pedestrians to hunt for spots less than ankle deep to cross from one side of the street to the other. Other downtown streets, including Meridian, Pasco and Live Oak avenues, also see the waters rise.

(Courtesy of 54realty.com)

But, $1.4 million embedded in the state’s 2018 budget could go a long way toward easing the chronic flooding. The funds are among local requests that survived the budget veto pen of Gov. Rick Scott.

The money will pay to retrofit Dade City’s stormwater system by expanding a retention pond and installing a larger culvert system to drain off the rainfall.

According to the application presented to the state legislature, the project will “improve safety, attract new businesses and improve the local economy.”

It is something area business owners have wanted for a long while. They worry that the flooding keeps some customers from venturing downtown.

“We hope it will make an economic impact on our businesses,” said Joseph DeBono, Dade City’s public works director.

On rainy days, for instance, shoppers need more than an umbrella to try and stay dry in downtown Dade City. They likely need a pair of rain boots.

“It definitely is an issue, and this will help,” said John Moors, executive director for The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce.

Bids for the project will go out after Oct. 1, when the new fiscal year begins.

Roads included in the project are Seventh, Pasco, State Road 52 and U.S. 98. The city-owned Irvin pond will be enlarged to accommodate more runoff. The estimated cost of $400,000 will be paid with a grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Permits for the work have been approved.

Details on a work schedule for the entire project are to be determined, but the pond renovations will be the starting point, said DeBono.

Other community requests that were approved in the 2018 state budget include:

  • $500,000 for Youth and Family Alternatives
  • $150,000 for the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office for a pilot program to help first-responders suffering post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
  • $1.2 million for a campus of “therapeutic safe homes” for child victims of sex trafficking.

Published July 5, 2017